v. t.
v. i. To steal or pocket game, or to carry it away privately, as in a bag; to kill or destroy game contrary to law, especially by night; to hunt or fish unlawfully;
v. t. [ Cf. OF. pocher to thrust or dig out with the fingers, to bruise (the eyes), F. pouce thumb, L. pollex, and also E. poach to cook eggs, to plunder, and poke to thrust against. ]
His horse poching one of his legs into some hollow ground. Sir W. Temple. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i. To become soft or muddy. [ 1913 Webster ]
Chalky and clay lands . . . chap in summer, and poach in winter. Mortimer. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ From Poach to stab. ]
Red-crested poachard (Zool.),
Scaup poachard,
Tufted poachard,
n.
Sea poacher (Zool.),
n. The state of being poachy; marshiness. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ See Poach to stab. ] Wet and soft; easily penetrated by the feet of cattle; -- said of land [ 1913 Webster ]